§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the fact that H.M.S. "Barfleur" in a period of forty months ending 1st June, 1908, had nine successive captains, whether he can state what steps the Board are taking to prevent the evils arising from the undue frequency with which the captains of His Majesty's ships are shifted about.
§ MR. McKENNAMy hon. friend has referred to the case of only one of His Majesty's ships, the "Barfleur," which is in the Special Reserve. The captains of His Majesty's ships are not shifted about with avoidable frequency, and it is not considered necessary to take any steps as suggested by my hon. friend.
§ MR. BELLAIRSWill it be possible for my right hon. friend to grant a return in regard to the commands of ships generally?
§ MR. McKENNANo, Sir. I am quite satisfied that the captains of His Majesty's ships are not shifted with any avoidable frequency.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)Is there any special reason why the captains of the "Barfleur" were shifted so very frequently? Is the "Barfleur" used as a training ship for captains?
§ MR. McKENNANo, Sir. The "Barfleur" was used for sending out to China a new crow for the "Vengeance" and for bringing back the old crew, and, as the old crew were time-expired men, they were paid off, and at the same time the captain was changed. That was the special reason I gave.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEBut that applies to only three out of the nine captains.
§ MR. McKENNAIt applies to four captains. With regard to the other changes, I explained that in one case the captain was only in command a few days because another captain unexpectedly retired from the service.